Presenting....

The most exciting news of the month (Hallie was born LAST month, no worries). Ryan was awarded an out of state tuition waiver. What does that mean you ask. That means that the Jensens don't have to pay off an extra $33,000 of debt. SO exciting. This picture is Ryan when he came home from school that day. He wanted a GA hat and shirt so bad but had made a commitment to himself that he would not buy one unless he was awarded the waiver. He headed straight over to the bookstore after finding out. One more part of the story. You might notice he is holding a BK bag. For those that now me, now I LOVE BK. Used to work there for a long time--but that is another story, right Anna and Kelli. Anyway, when we first were married Ryan was looking for a FT job after graduation and in the meantime we had NO money and were living off savings. I am slightly frugal as it is...but this was extreme for me. I wouldn't even let Ryan buy cookies at school :) That was our first disagreement I think--absolutely ridiculous. Sorry Ry! Anyway, one day on the way home from BYU he pulled into BK and I was sitting there thinking in my mind-"WHAT is he doing? We don't have money to go to BK!" He bought us both dinner and pulled over to the side of the road and pulled out a letter that was a job offer that we'd both been hoping he'd get. So, he wanted to surprise me and take me to BK. We were SOOOOO excited and it was a cute way of telling me "we can afford Burger King now". When he got his second job he did the same thing to tell me about it. So, it seemed only fitting with this news as well.



and a few more pictures from the last few weeks.

These are Aubrie's kittys. They are waiting in the front window for Ryan to come home. I LOVE it.



Ryan took this picture of the two "A's" out mowing the backyard. Serious, Aubrie was a great helper. She got all the pinecones out of the way of the lawnmower as well as helping "mow".



The community pools in Athens are SO great. This particular pool is completely surrounded by huge 200 foot trees. The pool is set in the middle of the woods really . There is a small free zoo right by it with bears, bald eagles, turtles, otters and alligators. Also lots of hiking trails. Pretty cool. Better yet, it costs $1 to get in to the pool.




Aubrie was so brave to go off the diving board. The first time she went it was like the whole pool went silent when they got up there. Then when she jumped everyone started clapping. It was really cute. Everyone kept saying to me "I cant believe she did that, I am scared and I know how to swim, she is so little, etc, etc". I was cracking up.

This is a small example of the difference between Aubrie and Robbie. Who's plate do you think is whose (this is the same after EVERY meal). Don't let the "pink" color throw you off... :)

This was so fun. Aubrie wanted me to make her a map. She thinks they are so fun--thanks to her cousin Jack the pirate. So, we decided to make a treasure hunt. I thought it would be fun to have a treat at every stop that would combine to make their lunch. So I wrote numbers 1-5 with a picture next to each number. They had to figure out where to go next by the picture. At each place there was part of their lunch (raisins, bowl of grapes, string cheese, etc). Anyway, it was fun and now Aubrie wants to have a treasure hunt everyday. (Anna, she specifically asked if we could do one when Jack comes over next time).



First stop...mailbox!

Some home pictures...

Ryan is good. He took some pictures. Just a few. I'll have to take more another day.

miss twang

So, just really fast before I forget...

Today we went to go and sign Aubrie up for soccer/swimming at the recreation center near here. Everywhere we go it is always a scene and in the week and a half we've been here I have heard 7-8 times, "wow, you have your hands full!!!" , and I just smile and nod and usually one of the kids will pull something off their desk or run into a wall within 2 minutes of them saying that. Anyway, i digress. So, the lady that helps us walks into the room and doesn't even look at me. She looks for a LONG time at all three kids and says...(please, see above). We laugh, etc, etc. Then she starts quizzing the kids about names, ages, etc. Robbie is just staring at her. So, Aubrie tells her that her birthday is in August and the lady says "What day is your birthday on?" Now, I need to mention here that she had a VERY thick suthen' accent having been born and raised in Athens. Aubrie stared really hard at her for a second and then scrunched up her face (those that know Aubrie can imagine that confused face she makes) and says "HUH?", so the lady repeats the question. Aubrie: Again, "HUH?" So, the lady asks Aubrie again, "What DAY is your birthday on?" Aubrie: "My daddy? (thinking she was saying "daddy" instead of "day"). Mom steps in to try to save face for this lady and I say "I don't think she knows what day her birthday is", and Aubrie hearing what I said says "Oh, my birthday is August 15th."

welp. okay.

Soapbox...again.

Yes, I am gonna be a little cheesy and yes, I am okay with it...today.




This is Ryan. He has been studying for something like 300 hours straight at this point in life. He is a true champion of MBA's.

I am lame and made a cake for him and my brother for Father's day and that was about it. (can I plead insanity in life as a reason Ryan). What I wanted to do was sit down and write him a nice letter telling him why he is so great. Unfortunately, never happened. So, with the few minutes I have right now I guess I thought I'd let our loyal blog readers (both of you) know how really lucky I am to be married to this guy.

My three favorite things about him today (we used to play this game when we were first married):

-He sticks to things--he is working so hard (and reaping the benefits--GREAT grades) at school right now. I cannot believe the craziness of his workload--far and beyond what I ever did--and he is getting it done. Better yet, he is really liking it. I have spent the last few days being impressed with how smart my husband is (not that I didn't think that before, easy now)--but he is REALLY smart--he gets things.

-He is very conscious of me and how/what I am doing in life. Whether its from having 6 sisters of from being raised by a good mother (or both)--he is very sensitive. He really takes care of me. I appreciate how willing he is to sacrifice--time, his sleep, etc, for me and for our family. Pretty amazing!

-Ryan is good with kids. They love to play with him, they love to be tickled and play "fumble", a game he made up. When he comes home, they RUN (Robbie tripping over himself half the time) to get to him. He gives horsie-rides to bed, always remembers hugs and kisses, tells good stories and can throw them 4 feet into the air. All kids like Ryan because he is so fun!


Love you muchisimo Ryan!

Hi, we're the Jensens

haven't been around here in awhile...
I really do love it here. The other day I went and walked (by myself--yeah!!!) and just was so captivated by everything I saw around me. Our small road doesn't have very mature trees, but the surrounding homes--are incredible--its like they are set in a forest. I'll take my camera next time. I guess I just love the color green and it is everywhere. Red is a nice contrast to the green everywhere and there is plenty of red brick. I guess the red GA clay comes in handy. The campus at UGA is enormous and also just beautiful. Aubrie and Robbie love it because of the squirrels EVERYWHERE and the Coca-Cola lounge in the business school :).

Our backyard is fantastic and I love having one. They are liking the pool (which has come in handy with the 90+ temperatures all day and all night). Gotta love it.

Yesterday we went to the library and there were toys everywhere in the kids center of the library--which really is so smart. Puppet shows, dollhouses, blocks, etc. It was a fun day. Which is good because it was our first day alone without my mom. WE REALLY MISS YOU MOM!!!


So, here are some recent pictures of the last week or so. Hallie is getting bigger and just a cute little doll. WE blessed her in our church this last Sunday and Carl and Courtney and kids (my brother and sister in law) came over from Bama with Mabel their bulldog. So fun. I was glad to have family here.


Carl and are favorite lil' miss southern bell, Emma Jane.

Mom holding the two newest additions to the fold. CJ and Hallie

Now, if any of you (dad and mom) remember my baby pictures, there is definitely a stronger resemblance with this one....and MAYBE just maybe we might have a child with some curls. Especially when it is wet, it just curls right up. SO CUTE!




Backyardigans.


Strong mama. She likes the sound of mom's voice and sometimes will smile. It is NOT gas :)



This was cracking me up. She is SO excited about having a mailbox. She couldn't reach so she goes inside the house, climbs all the way up the stairs to get this chair, dragged it down the stairs, outside and to the mailbox. Then some lady was walking by and thought she needed help and took the mail out for her. We were watching from inside and cracking up.



Emma Jane took matters into her own hands with the pool and swimming.

We made it!!!

What a trip. I was impressed with our kiddos I have to say. We had a few moments of pure insanity, but overall--they did good. Ryan ran out into the road, whooping like an crazy man when we pulled in and my heart was warmed. :) (I wish I had a picture) Sure glad that we were missed, cause I sure missed Ryan.

I LOVE our house, (pictures to come)--it is beautiful. And I wont even START with the beautiful green forest of trees everywhere. Driving though Tennessee was absolutely amazing--the Smokies are just gorgeous. My mom and I couldn't stop commenting the last 5 hours of the trip. The South is AMAZING (and that's after growing up here. ) I'll post pictures of the house and our area later. Lindsay--the house next door is for sale--let me know if you are interested--(hint hint Miguel).

Glad to be here. Home is where the heart is and mine is and will always be with RYAN!




PS-if anyone knows of a person that is just dying to rent a place in Pemberley--please send them our way...

And again and again...

That is how I've been feeling this last 2 weeks (or so) without a home and without my bff--Ryan. I feel like we moved, but not really. Cause we are still here...just in Orem. Now don't get me wrong-I LOVE my parents more now than ever and our moms and dads have been way too good to us. Seriously. It is just hard to say goodbye to our house, over and over (it seems like I am there almost everyday) and feel sad as I see friends around our neighborhood, etc. And, Ryan has started life in GA...and we are not there to start it with him. That being said, it has been a good experience for me to be here (probably getting used to how it might be for the next year without a husband/father (JK Ryan). and it is so great for me to spend time with family before we leave. Have I mentioned how GREAT my mom and Ryan's mom are....I was reminded the last few days of how much moms really LOVE. My mom got back from AL (Where she'd been for 8 days or so to help my brother and sister in law who just moved and just had a baby as well) and took right over getting HER house back in order (I just didn't do as good of job, sorry mom) and then will turn right BACK around to head back to the South in a few days DRIVING this time--with three kids 3 years old and under and stay another week to help US get moved in, etc. And so the cycle continues, the never ending quest of motherhood and the unconditional love that a mother has. I have a lot to work on.

One more thing, I was thinking of the many, many, MANY amazing people that I have lived by for years and years here in Utah and just LOVE--many are family. Thank you so much. I will miss you all VERY much! Just good "gente" as my grandpa would say. I won't even name names--so you can all get back to your much more important tasks of the day.


Here are a few pictures (not many as our camera battery charger has been in GA) the last few weeks.

The night before Ryan left for GA, we had a campout in our empty house....it went well into the night but it was a lot of fun and a good memory. Good idea Ryan.


My A #1 uno mother who is a GREAT grandma too!



Little Hallie being held my abuelita...



Dont' call CPS--we didnt really ride with her in there...it just was a cute picture.


in the hospital tanning beds :) (she was on phototherapy for a week after she was born--HORRIBLE!)


DAy after we got home, first swimming extravaganza--I went as photographer!


nice rippling muscles Ryan :)

Phototherapy at home....with dads glasses.

pretty crazy. It wasnt funny to me at the time, but thought we should take some shots to tell her about it later.